Patent GB-155005-A (GB)
Title: Improved method of and apparatus for obtaining power
IPC: F25B23/00
Filed: 1919-09-06
Abstract: 155,005. Malone, J. F. J. Sept. 6, 1919. By heating in pipes, tubes, and the like.- Power is obtained from a moving column of liquid, or a series of connected solids, the motion of which is produced by a change of density in the liquid or solids due to differences of expansion resulting from keeping different parts of the path traversed at different temperatures. Heat equivalent to the energy of a driven motor is supplied to one part of the circuit by artificial heating, or from the surrounding medium at its normal temperature, such as the normal atmosphere or that down a mine, or the sea. The temperature of one part of the circuit may be below that of the surrounding medium. Parts of the circuit of a mercury column 9 which drives a motor 10, Fig. 1, are arranged in chambers 1, 3 containing a vapour or a gas, and which are connected by a branch 2. A difference of pressure exists in the chambers due to the weight of the vertical column of vapour or gas in branch 2. This, it is stated, produces a difference of temperature in the chambers. Liquid evaporated from chamber 1 to chamber 2 is made good by a pump 8 driven by the motor 10. If vapour is withdrawn from the bottom vessel for power purposes, the temperature difference is maintained even when the temperatures fall below that of the surrounding medium due to the work done. Heat may be taken up by a coil-pipe device 11. In a modification of this construction, a series of masses connected bv links are substituted for the mercury, and drive pulleys from which power is given off. In the construction shown in Fig. 2, the circuit connects vessel 1 and a liquid container 3A, and vessels 1, 3 are connected by a pipe 2. When the temperature is lowered bv the action of the motor 10, heat is absorbed from the surrounding medium by the device 11, which may act as a refrigerator. The vessel 3, at a higher temperature than vessels 1, 3a, acts a heat conveyer or radiator. In a modification of the construction shown in Fig. 2, an additional motor driven by vapour from chamber 3 and exhausting into chamber 3<a>, is employed. In further modifications, a permanent gas is used in lieu of the liquid and vapour. Series of connected units are also described wherein the temperature range is proportional to the number of units. In the construction shown in Fig. 10, instead of transferring the heat in circuit 9 to the vessel 1, it is transferred to an adjacent, oppositely-moving column 23. The circuits may be co-axial. The temperature difference in the arms of the circuit 9 is maintained by columns 24, 25. In a further modification, the temperature difference and the pressure necessary to produce the circulation in the closed circuit are obtained by centrifugal force. In the construction shown in Fig. 12, a drum provided with central and peripheral compartments 43, 44, 41, 42 rotates about a stationary axis 45. Vapour passes from chamber 47 through inlet 46, outlet 48<1>, and a motor 49. Mercury-driven motors 51 in coils 50 drive pumps 52 and the drum about the axle 45. The drum is started by a pulley 53. Centrifugal force and a stationary fan 54 produces condensation, an increase of temperature in the compartment 41, and hence a circulation in coils 50. Similarly the motor 51 and pump 52 in compartments 44, 42 are set in action. A fan 44 delivers vapour to motor 49 which exhausts to chamber 47. Instead of the heat being conveyed by a vapour to a motor, it may be used to raise the temperature of a room. In a modification, the hub of a drum is divided into two compartments containing liquid and vapour, or gas, which are kept at different temperatures by a compressor. Co-axial helices surround the interior of the periphery of the drum. Water is circulated in the exterior coil by a pump; and sulphurous or carbonic acid in the interior coil in the contrarv direction by centrifugal force, and operates a motor which continues the drive of the drum and gives off power.